The story of the day for the USC Trojans was the news that both WR Zachariah Branch and S Zion Branch would be entering the Transfer Portal. But perhaps the news with a greater effect (positive or negative) is that offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Josh Henson is leaving the Trojans to become the offensive coordinator at Purdue.
According to FootballScoop.com, Henson will be joining newly hired Head Coach Barry Odom as the OC and will have play-calling duties.
Odom and Henson coached together at the University of Missouri from 2009-2015.
What Does Losing Josh Henson Mean For USC Trojans
USC is already in the process of interviewing and hiring a new linebackers coach after Matt Entz took the Fresno State Head Coaching gig, and now will have to begin the search for a new offensive line coach.
There is the possibility that current Tight Ends coach, Zach Hanson, will get moved from TEs to OL and given more responsibility. Hanson played offensive tackle at Kansas State, and before joining the USC staff, was the offensive line coach at Tulsa.
Also Read: USC Trojans Lose Two Elite Players To The Transfer Portal
The tight end group has become one of the better blocking rooms in the conference, and if Lincoln Riley wants to keep everything cohesive, Hanson could be a natural move.
The big question is how this will affect the current recruiting class and OL room. Anytime a position coach leaves, there is always the risk that the players who were recruited by him move on as well.
Starters Elijah Paige and Alani Noa will be priority number one, and then securing the depth, and the 2025 class, but also adding some starter-level talent in the transfer portal will be on the to-do list.
We will release a comprehensive list of potential offensive line coach candidates in the coming days.